Tassie Dairy News

Strategic plan

eNews

Important Information for Tasmanian Dairy FarmersTactics for Tight Times Program

DairyTas is developing a number of activities to support farmers in this period of uncertainty with the milk price reductions across southern Australia. We understand the difficulty that the changes have placed many farmers in.

There will be a range of business related supports and social activities that we are implementing in collaboration with other industry players and organisations and local communities. DairyTas is also open to other suggestions where we might be able to help.

We encourage farmers to seek good advice and participate in local and other events for your industry and community in this challenging time.

Farm based feed budgeting sessions July 2016 – June 2017

Half day farm session with a consultant/advisor who will review your feed situation and discuss options that are available to you. Download flyer. (You may also wish to undertake a review of your feed budget during the 16/17 season – please contact us to discuss.)

Taking stock farm business review

½ day farm session with a consultant/advisor who will assist you to review your farms financial situation and performance and discuss with you options that are available for the coming season and months ahead. Contact DairyTas now to register your interest in Taking Stock and Feed Budgeting. Download flyer. (You may also wish to undertake a review of your feed budget during the 16/17 season – please contact us to discuss.)

Discussion group funding

Dairy Australia recognises that dairy discussion groups are vital to the health of our industry. Therefore funding is now available for both existing and new groups.

Up to $3,000 per group per year is available to assist with the costs of:

If you have a great idea for a group or are involved with a group that could use the funding to enhance the groups learning then please complete the application form.

Each group application will be assessed based on the contribution to the industry and to the learning of the members involved. Download application form.

Small group local area meetings – Grant

An opportunity to get together with a small number of farmers within your local area/community to discuss issues that are relevant to all present and sign post to support activities. Complete the application form if you are a farmer interested in accessing up to $1000 to host one of these meetings.

Introduction to DairyTas

DairyTas is the Tasmanian service delivery arm of Dairy Australia, investing farmer levies and other funds to support the Tasmanian Dairy Industry.

DairyTas’ main aim is to identify, prioritise, promote, facilitate and leverage opportunities for research, development and extension activities in the Tasmanian dairy industry which will assist dairy farmers to manage change.

Further to this the DairyTas Board seeks to encourage the development of a sustainable, vigorous and dynamic dairy industry in Tasmania that offers economic and social rewards to dairy farmers and those in the wider community.

The Board’s roles are to:

encourage ideas and adopt a rigorous process for identifying and prioritising the needs of grass roots farmers

monitor and evaluate project performance to ensure there are genuine outcomes

act as a broker for innovative projects

attract funding to leverage the pool of available resources

provide local input to national forums

provide feedback to farmers, industry service providers, Dairy Australia and other stakeholders

DairyTas adopts a wider role in the Tasmanian dairy industry to add value to its programs by co-operating with other stakeholders such as the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Dairy Centre, NRM Regional Organisations, State Government, industry consultants and agribusiness and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Dairy Council (TFGA).

The Board’s main roles relate to research, development, extension plus industry development and skills development.

DairyTas Board members are:

Symon Jones

Cherrylyn Ker

Greg Bott (Roberts)

Richard Rawnsley (TIA)

Simon Elphinstone (Chairman)

Simon Bennett (Deputy Chairman)

Duncan Macdonald

Andrew Aldridge (TFGA)

Wolfie Wagner

Employees

Mark Smith (Regional Manager, Executive Officer and Public Officer)

Jacki Hine (Extension Officer)

Liz Mann (Extension Officer – Tues, Wed, Thurs only)

Linda Hansen (Administration, part time)

Contractors

History

DairyTas Board was established by the local dairy industry and the Dairy Research and Development Corporation (DRDC) in 1996. (The DRDC was amalgamated with the ADC in July 2003 to form Dairy Australia.)

The Board is one of eight regional development programs for the dairy industry around Australia. It is responsible for setting, implementing and reviewing research, demonstration and extension priorities within the Tasmanian dairy industry.

Dairy Australia currently funds the Board's operating costs and some of its projects.

Aim and Roles

The Board's prime aim is to facilitate the development of a sustainable, vigorous and dynamic dairy industry in Tasmania that offers economic and social rewards to dairy farmers and those in the wider community.

The Board's roles are to:

encourage ideas and adopt a rigorous process for identifying and prioritising the needs of grass roots farmers

monitor and evaluate project performance to ensure there are genuine outcomes

act as a broker for innovative projects

attract funding to leverage the pool of available resources

provide local input to national forums

provide feedback to farmers, industry service providers, Dairy Australia and other stakeholders

DairyTas adopts a wider role in the Tasmanian dairy industry to add value to its programs by co-operating with other stakeholders such as the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Dairy Centre, Milk Companies, Agribusiness Companies, NRM Regional Organisations and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association Dairy Council (TFGA).

Small Project Grants

DairyTas Board provides funds for small project grants each year. Grant can be applied for up to $10,000 for projects and activities that support the industries strategic priorities and that will provide an industry benefit in Tasmania or help solve a local problem. Guidelines and application forms are provided here.

Tasmania’s LEGENDAIRY Capital – Smithton

News and events

Learn about the important animal welfare issues for dairy farmers and what’s in the new Cattle Standards and Guidelines. This session is designed for anyone who is responsible for the day to day care of dairy animals.

Flood transport subsidy closes 30 Nov 2016

Primary producers affected by the floods can receive help with the cost of transporting fodder and/or water to a property, stock to or from agistment, stock to sale or slaughter, and transport of materials, plant and equipment directly associated with primary production.

The Bureau of Meteorology has recently launched its new weather app for iPhone and Android devices. The app will deliver current conditions, forecasts, warnings and radar information to you at your current location or any other location you want to specify.

Flood Preparedness

Fert$mart for 2016/17

DairyTas are pleased to announce we have secured funding for further places for the Fert$mart program for the 2016/17 year.

As we are all aware, fertiliser is a big expense item in the Dairy Farmers budget. So, ensuring that the right nutrients are applied at the right rate and right time is essential for optimum pasture growth. Gaining access to accurate nutrient information and planning can potentially save thousands of $$.

The Fert$mart program provides Dairy Farmers with the ability to take a thorough look at their nutrient budget enabling them to have an independent Fert$mart Agronomist visit the farm and take soil samples and have them analysed. From that, in consultation with the Agronomist develop a nutrient map and a nutrient plan. (The investment required by the farmer is the cost of soil sampling and time with the Agronomist.)

Northern Region; FertSmart plans are available due to funding secured by the Sustainable Ag Small Grants under national Landcare (Commonwealth Government).

Northwest/Circular Head Region. These FertSmart plans are available due to a funding agreement with Cradle Coast NRM.

Please contact Rachel Brown for further information or to apply for funding on 0409 333 381 or rbrown@landly.com.au.

Dairy Base is a web based tool that enables dairy farmers to measure and compare their farm business performance over time. The first time you log on you will be asked for some details. This allows DairyBase to identify you and provide security around your data and information.

In most situations, drought, fire and flood are unavoidable events. The providers listed here are there you help you both daily and through the tough times. They are trained in assisting in crisis events and will help you work through your challenges.

Every season is about understanding the situation that your business is in. Understanding your feed flow, your cash flow, where you can trim your budget and what should be left alone, your cost of production and what your expected income will be. This fact sheet will help you to have a successful season.

DairyTas congratulates Smithton on being awarded Tasmania’s Legendairy Capital town. It is great to see the community come together for this program and put the town on the map across the country. Read more

DairyTas is inviting dairy farm employers to register available jobs on the employment register, Employment Made Easy (eMe). Through eMe both employers and job seekers can register and gain information for suitable job and candidate matches, please contact DairyTas for more information. The register operates through the website www.eme.org.au

Tasmanian dairy has been featured by an ABC Landline feature outlining the opportunities for milk growth and investment. View the story

Stepping Stones – Career Pathways in the Dairy Industry

The new Stepping Stones career pathways resource has been developed by DairyTas and Dairy Australia in response to the need for better information to outline and explain the opportunities available for new and existing dairy farmers. It aims to assist people with planning a career and seeing what pathways may be open to them. Read more

Dairy Discussion Groups

Commonwealth Government provides $400,000 for Into Dairy Project

Braddon MHR Brett Whiteley has announced the funding of $400,000 for DairyTas under the Australian Governments Jobs and Growth Plan for Tasmania. The funds will be provided to DairyTas over the next 2 years to contribute towards the growth of dairy in Tasmania under the Into Dairy – Sustainable Dairy Development program. DairyTas’ Into Dairy project now has funding of $1.7M for the next 3 years to 2017 with the aim to grow milk production by 40% in the 5 years to 2018. The announcement was made at Bruce and Debra Chamley’s Boat Harbour farm on April 30th. The $400,000 will go towards local initiatives around business management for dairy farmers, heifer and young stock rearing support, investment attraction activity and coaching and mentoring for dairy farmers. It will complement the funds we already have for activities such as dairy conversion and dairy growth plans. The main contributions to the project are as follows:

State Government $740,000

Commonwealth Govt $400,000

Dairy Australia/DairyTas $180,000

Milk Companies $216,000

Industry sponsors $180,000

ESKi

The Employment Starter Kit (ESKi) was officially launched at the DairyTas AGM on the 14th November 2013.

This information folder is a resource to make it straightforward for farmers to employ staff and to minimise the business risk around getting it wrong. It provides easy access to the documents you need to employ someone; covering the law, payroll, leave, agreements and the Award, termination and safety.